New £65 Million Royal Navy Ship to Guard UK’s Undersea Cables
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is set to bolster the UK’s maritime defence with a cutting-edge offshore patrol vessel. The 6,000-tonne, 98-metre-long ship boasts game-changing tech like remote and autonomous systems designed for underwater surveillance and seabed warfare.
Vital Shield for Critical National Infrastructure
Dubbed the first of two Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance (MROS) vessels, this new ship will tackle a growing threat to the UK: attacks on undersea energy and communication cables. With adversaries eyeing these crucial links, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace fast-tracked the acquisition of these specialist ships.
The vessel, named Topaz Tangaroa, was built by Vard in 2019 and snapped up for £65 million. It’s heading soon to Cammell Laird in Birkenhead for refurbishments before joining the fleet later this year as a dedicated seabed warfare ship.
Swift Delivery and Innovation Praised
MROS project manager Gareth Morris said:
“I’m incredibly proud to have worked with an innovative team to deliver this critical new capability to the 1 and Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Lessons learned during this fast-paced and novel procurement journey have been invaluable and will positively impact future projects.”
DE&S Director General Ships Vice Admiral Paul Marshall added:
“DE&S worked at pace to accelerate the purchase and delivery of the first ship under the critical MROS programme. We continue to 1 with agility to support the UK MOD in addressing both current and future threats posed by an ever-changing world.”
Delivering Value for Money and Boosting National Security
Before the purchase, an extensive market review revealed that adapting a commercial vessel for seabed warfare was the smartest and quickest move to safeguard taxpayers’ money. Topaz Tangaroa has previously served on global commercial charters, making it the perfect fit for this vital new role.
Commodore David Eagles RFA, head of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, said:
“This is an entirely new mission for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary – and one we relish. We have been entrusted with supporting a key operation to safeguard the UK’s infrastructure, security and prosperity and that fills all of us in the RFA with pride. These are really exciting times.”
